Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the individuals from the 23rd District of New York who were recently awarded the Fulbright Award. Thirteen constituents from my district were selected to receive this prestigious honor: Dr. Christopher Barrett, Ms. Emily Brown, Ms. Abena Bruce, Ms. Dina Bryan, Dr. Abigail Cohn, Dr. Matthew Evangelista, Mr. Andrew Hart, Dr. Teresa Jordan, Ms. Catherine Kearns, Mr. Joshua Kim, Mr. John Maher, Dr. Judith McKinney, and Ms. Sarah Steece.

The recipients include both undergraduate students and scholars from a wide range of higher education institutions including Cornell University, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Ithaca College, New York University, Stanford University, and Williams College.

The Fulbright Program is America's largest international exchange program, having linked over a quarter of a million students with more than 155 countries worldwide. These opportunities not only offer our students a chance to educate themselves in foreign nations but these programs also help to strengthen our relationships with their host countries. Since 1977 when the Fulbright Association was established, many notable individuals have been recipients of this award. Ten Fulbright recipients have been elected to the United States Congress, 43 have received a Nobel Prize, and 78 have received the Pulitzer Prize.

Fulbright Award recipients are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement as well as the leadership potential they show in their fields. It is a privilege to represent a district that so many of these award recipients call home. The bar has now been set very high, and I am proud to have them representing our nation as ambassadors abroad.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Renovating Hope, a nonprofit organization that assists America's heroes in need. Renovating Hope's mission is to provide professional and sustainable home repairs and renovations to families of men and women currently serving in the armed forces, as well as veterans. This organization delivers renewal and hope to the members of our military who are in need of assistance, and provides comfort to their families.

I recently had the privilege of observing Renovating Hope's service and commitment to our military 'heroes in my district. The organization developed a project to remodel the home of Retired Army Sgt. Robert C. Costley, a Purple Heart Award recipient who was critically wounded by a roadside bomb during his tour in Iraq. The renovation of Sgt. Costley's home in Erin, New York, would not have been completed without the leadership of Renovating Hope and the hard work of countless volunteers from the community.

I am proud to recognize the efforts of Renovating Hope in assisting our military heroes, and I commend their dedication to giving back to the individuals who have given so much of themselves to serve this great country. This organization truly exemplifies the commitment to serving the men and women of the United States military. As Americans, we should strive to emulate this commitment every day.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity to rise in support of this proposed legislation before us today.

I have been sitting here, listening to the arguments of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, and I've heard conflicting messages. I've heard that this is an irrelevant piece of legislation, that it's not necessary because no one is requesting a waiver, that HHS and the administration have not engaged in a policy that allows waivers to occur; yet in the same breath, in the same argument, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle say, But many Republican Governors are asking for waivers from States in going forward.

The point is: this needs to be clarified. This needs to be firmly stated in our record and in the laws of the land that TANF requires a work requirement for our welfare program.

I am a firm believer in the work requirements as they empower our unemployed, our underemployed--the folks who need it the most--to have the skill sets and the resources to put them back to work for generations to come so as to take care of their children and the people who are below them in regards to their needs.

What I would say is any effort to send a conflicting message that somehow waivers are an acceptable policy should be fought on both sides of the aisle and rejected. That's why this legislation is necessary, and it is also necessary to get the reauthorization in place so that we can set the stage for a comprehensive, vigorous debate on welfare reform at the end of this 9-month reauthorization that this legislation does.

So I encourage my colleagues, this is not about a Presidential election; this is about firm, solid policy when it comes to our welfare rolls in America. This is about giving people the tools to get back to work, and that work under the welfare program makes sense and is good, sound policy. I urge my colleagues to join with us and support this reauthorization.

Mr. Speaker, today I join my colleague Mr. Doggett of Texas, to introduce the Standard Data and Technology Advancement Act of 2013, or the ``Standard DATA Act.'' This legislation follows legislation previously introduced and championed by former Congressman Geoff Davis during his time as the Committee on Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee Chairman.

The Standard DATA Act builds on the progress that has been made to establish consistent requirements for the electronic content and format of data used in the administration of key human services programs authorized by the Social Security Act.

Human services programs serve overlapping populations and should, from an information technology standpoint, operate consistently within and across programs. By continuing the process of data standardization and the use of common reporting mechanisms, this bill will help achieve three goals: better prevent and identify fraud and abuse; increase the efficiency of administrative resources to serve eligible beneficiaries; and produce program savings for U.S. taxpayers.

This bill continues the efforts begun in the bipartisan, bicameral Child and Family Services Extension and Enhancement Act of 2011, which was the first effort at requiring a human services program to implement standard data elements and reporting. President Obama signed that bill into law on September 30, 2011.

The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, signed by the President in February 2012, applied similar data standards provisions to unemployment insurance and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

This program-by-program approach has been useful, but the ultimate goal is to work across programs. The legislation being introduced today provides a path forward to cover additional programs under the jurisdiction of the Human Resources subcommittee, with the intention of moving to create a complete system of program information exchange.

As a member of the Human Resources subcommittee I commend these efforts and recognize the data provisions enacted in P.L. 112-96 are designed to be a catalyst for continued action.

Consistent with the bipartisan approach developed and maintained by former Subcommittee Chairman Geoff Davis and Ranking Member Lloyd Doggett, today I introduce this bill with the full support of the Human Resources Subcommittee, from both sides of the aisle.

Improved data standards will help increase the efficiency of data exchanges to use and reuse data within and across programs. That will allow States to automate the exchange of claimant data on work and benefit receipt, reducing delays and minimizing improper payments. It will also help to automate application forms by pre-populating them with reliable and verified data, which can reduce the manual burden on staff and allow them more time to engage beneficiaries, all while reducing error.

This efficiency will better serve program beneficiaries and taxpayers at the same time.

I thank my colleagues for co-sponsoring this important legislation, starting with Mr. Doggett, the Ranking Member on the Human Resources Subcommittee, Mr. Reichert, Chairman of the Human Resources Subcommittee, as well as Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Dr. Boustany, Mr. Young of Indiana, Mr. Griffin, Mr. Renacci, Mr. Tiberi, Mr. Paulsen and Mr. Danny Davis of Illinois.

I invite all Members to join us in supporting this important legislation designed to improve the integrity of the benefit programs millions of Americans access today, and ensure that taxpayer funds are properly spent.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 21 years of dedicated service that John E. Margeson provided to Allegany County as County Administrator. Mr. Margeson began serving the Allegany County government over thirty years ago in 1977 as a probation officer. In 1982, he was appointed to be the administrative assistant to the chairman of the board and held that position until 1992 when he was appointed the county's first administrator. Mr. Margeson recently announced his retirement as Allegany County Administrator to be effective at the end of March 2013.

As the first county administrator in Allegany County, he spent over two decades making changes and updates as new federal and state mandates emerged. As a result of these mandates, the role of the Allegany County government has grown and reacted to the issues at hand. Mr. Margeson also helped oversee some of the largest capital projects in the county's history, including a new jail and a court annex. Making it a priority to attend every committee and full board meeting, Mr. Margeson provides extensive and invaluable knowledge to the board members.

Following his many years of dutiful work, Mr. Margeson looks forward to spending his retirement with his wife, two kids and his grandchildren. He also intends on playing many rounds of golf and his favorite card games in his hometown of Scio, New York.

I wish Mr. Margeson the very best in retirement and thank him for his public service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Jamestown Community College and its faculty, staff, and student body whose commitment to the environment has earned them the distinguished award as a ``Tree Campus USA'' college for the fourth consecutive year. As the first community college in New York State to earn this distinction from the Arbor Day Foundation, JCC met the necessary criteria by fulfilling five standards: maintaining a campus tree advisory committee, campus tree care plan, providing annual expenditures to the tree program, observing Arbor Day, and service learning projects for students. By achieving these standards, Jamestown Community College displayed effective management of their campus trees and collaboration with the community to foster urban forests.

The Arbor Day Foundation created this national program to recognize colleges and universities who exhibit dedication to sustaining their campus and community forestry as well as engaging their student body and faculty in these conservation goals. With one million members, Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees. It has helped campuses throughout the country plant hundreds of thousands of trees and last year ``Tree Campus USA'' colleges and universities invested $23 million in campus forest management.

Jamestown Community College stands as an example to the community and other colleges and universities for making initiatives to sustain the environment by protecting and maintaining trees.

I applaud their many efforts and look forward to Jamestown Community College's continued leadership on this front.

Mr. Speaker, I am writing to inform you that I was detained on February 28, 2013, and was unable to be on the House floor to vote. Had I been there, I would have voted as follows: rollcall 54--McMorris Rodgers Amendment: ``no,'' rollcall 55--Passage of S. 47: ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Time Warner Cable for its Connect a Million Minds (CAMM) initiative. This program is designed to inspire the next generation of problem solvers by connecting young people to the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) outside of the classroom.

This campaign includes original public service announcements and programming, grants to support nonprofit organizations that introduce students to STEM, and the creation of ``The Connectory,'' a one-of-a- kind resource that allows parents to find kid-centric STEM learning opportunities in their own backyards. The CAMM initiative also encourages Time Warner Cable employees to volunteer at science fairs, robotics competitions, and local Connect a Million Minds events.

The STEM fields have become increasingly important for the development of our country as the world continues to modernize at a rapid pace. The performance of U.S. students in STEM subjects has fallen behind their international peers. Today, more and more employers report having a difficult time finding qualified applicants for STEM jobs. This problem will continue to grow as it is estimated that the number of jobs in STEM fields will increase 17% by 2018. Given this figure, it is difficult to understate the importance of STEM education for both our nation's collective economic future and the future of our nation's students.

The CAMM program has focused resources across several Congressional Districts, including the 23rd District of New York. With increased attention and support from community and industry leaders that will someday hire students in STEM fields, programs like CAMM are critical to building a pool of future qualified employees. I commend Time Warner Cable for its CAMM initiative; and I want my colleagues to understand the importance of such initiatives and their positive impact on all of our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments and long-standing success of Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. Recently, Wegmans was named 5th in Fortune Magazine's ``100 Best Companies to Work For'' in 2012.

Since opening their first store in 1916 in Rochester, New York, Wegmans has experienced sustained growth for nearly a century, with a total of 81 store locations and a workforce of over 43,000 Americans. Even during trying economic times, Wegmans continued to grow and has plans to open additional stores, which will add more than 1,500 new jobs to the economy in the near future.

Wegmans exemplifies the American dream of entrepreneurship, and the core reason for the sustained success of this company is their workforce. By providing employees with a positive work environment with opportunities to learn and contribute to the organization, Wegmans is able to share in the success and growth of their employees.

This recognition from Fortune Magazine is just one of many accolades received by Wegmans throughout their long history and I trust there are many more to come. I hope new business owners and entrepreneurs will look to the business practices of Wegmans as an example. Additionally, I would like to thank Wegmans for not only their services to consumers, but also for their contributions to the economy and communities in my district.

Mr. Speaker, I write to inform you that I was detained on February 6, 2013, and was unable to be on the House floor for the vote on H.R. 444. Had I been there, I would have voted a ``yea'' on rollcall 38: Final passage of H.R. 444.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate David W. Oliker's 30 years as President and Chief Executive Officer of MVP Health Care. Mr. Oliker has been a successful and steadfast advocate for improved health care and economic prosperity in my Congressional district, but will be retiring during this calendar year.

Through Mr. Oliker's efforts, MVP Health Care has become a leader in the promotion of wellness and health education in our communities as a vehicle to lower health care costs and drive collective well-being. As a non-profit organization, MVP Health Care demonstrates what a truly successful public-private partnership looks like.

Advancing our nation's educational system has also been a priority of Mr. Oliker's. He has served on multiple boards, including the Advisory Council of Union Graduate College and the Albany College of Pharmacy. His hard work has ensured that generations to come will be well prepared for the future.

It has been an honor and a privilege to work with Mr. Oliker and I wish him the best in his retirement. The health care system in the Northeast will not be the same without him.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I rise today in support of this No Budget, No Pay proposal.

This is why we ran for office. This is why I came to Washington, D.C.--to stand for a vision that's going to attack this debt crisis that is upon us today, the debt crisis that will threaten our children and our grandchildren for generations if we do not get our fiscal house in order in Washington, D.C. It is time to put up the visions of the House Republicans versus those of the Senate Democrats as to what the proposals to move forward to solve this debt crisis are.

We owe it to the American people, to hardworking taxpayers, to be open and honest, and if my colleagues on the other side of the aisle want to stand for budgets that are all about tax increases, so be it. I believe there is a better way, and that better way will be in a House Republican budget that does the responsible thing and lays out a vision of growth and opportunity for generations to deal with this unsustainable debt crisis that is now upon us.

I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to join my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. I come from a district in New York that was not impacted by Hurricane Sandy, but I come to this floor today to express my frustration and my disappointment in the decision that was made to not bring up the Hurricane Sandy supplemental aid for the people of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut--our fellow citizens, Americans, who have suffered devastating impacts.

Now, I understand what some of the dynamics of this bill are about. I understand that the Senate has put forth a bill that many on my side of the aisle have expressed concern about--pork-type of activity that the Senate continues to engage in with fisheries and Smithsonian funding and things like that that don't really have much to do with Hurricane Sandy. But that's a separate issue that could have been addressed and should be addressed by this body in cleaning up that bill and in getting the aid, getting the resources to the people who are suffering today.

That was the intended plan, that we were going to let the will of the House speak--clean up the bill that the Senate had produced but, most importantly, do what is right for our fellow citizens because there is not a better purpose of the Federal Government, which is for the Federal Government to stand with our citizens when they are suffering the most, especially when they are suffering from a natural disaster such as Hurricane Sandy.

I join with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle in, again, asking

for our leadership to change the decision that was made to let the clock run out on this Congress and deal with this issue tomorrow. We don't have the luxury of waiting until tomorrow. These people are suffering today.

I talked to my colleagues of the districts that were impacted by this devastating storm, and I have heard the horror stories, and I've heard the stories of suffering of the many millions of people who were impacted in New Jersey and New York outside of my district. I think it is right and it is just and it is proper for us to hear the stories of those individuals and to make sure that we stand with them and take this bill up now rather than kick it to the next Congress. God knows when we will actually get to it in that congressional session.

So I join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Let us do what is right, Mr. Speaker. Bring this bill to the floor, and get on with the business of attending to our fellow citizens as Americans.

Mr. Speaker, as a Republican, I stand up here today to join my colleagues on the other side of the aisle and associate my words with the gentleman from Maryland.

Even though my district was not impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, it is right and just that we take up this bill. I ask our Speaker to reconsider the decision that has been made not to address this supplemental in this Congress. And I join my colleagues across the aisle to ask for that relief so that we can get to the people that need it the aid that they so are in need of on this day and this age.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.